Norman Abrahams, DDS
Resident of Los Gatos
Longtime Saratoga area dentist Norman Abrahams passed away in his sleep at age 89 on May 1, 2018 following a long illness.
Norm was born to immigrant parents in San Francisco in 1928. He grew up in Redwood City and graduated from Sequoia High School where he served as student Commissioner of Cultural Activities. Norm wanted to attend UC Berkeley but funds were limited so he could not live at school for his first two years and instead commuted to Berkeley from his grandmother’s home in San Francisco by bus and Key System train.
In 1950, Norm married Janet, the love of his life. They had been dating since he was 16 and she 14. Janet was able to be with Norm much of the time while he served in the Army in Georgia and Panama during the Korean War.
On discharge, Norm worked briefly for the Napa County Health Department until he started dental school at UCSF. Because his GI Bill benefits were not enough to support his family, which by then included his daughter Louise, he worked nights as a cab driver and Janet was a bank teller and grocery clerk.
On completing his dental education, Norm opened his dental office in the Westgate area of San Jose, which he later moved to nearby Saratoga.
Norm was active in the Santa Clara County Dental Society and served as its president. He also took time from his busy practice so that almost every Thursday he could drive to San Francisco to teach at the UCSF Dental School. Norm was president of a local Kiwanis club, and served several terms on the Board of Trustees of the West Valley-Mission Community College District and two terms on the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury. He was also active in several public services organizations and boards including Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley and the Santa Clara County Human Relations Commission.
Norm is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janet, his daughter Louise, his grandsons Gabriel and Fletcher, his granddaughters Taylor and Kacey, and his great-grandson Ivo. He is also survived by his brother Seymour and his nephews Matt and Glen, as well as many cousins. He was predeceased by his daughter Dona.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Humanity United or a charity of your choice. Pursuant to Norm’s direction, there will be no services or celebration.
View the online memorial for Norman Abrahams, DDS
Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on May 13, 2018.
